Sjoeen and Takeuchi dominate training in Hakuba

22 August 2014 12:10

Taku Takeuchi -

FIS

The FIS Grand Prix has arrived in Japan, where the official training was held in Hakuba on Friday under temperatures of 32°C.

Especially young Norwegian Phillip Sjoeen and local hero Taku Takeuchi showed impressive performances there. Sjoeen, who was second in Courchevel recently, won the first two rounds with jumps on 126.5 m and 126 m. Takeuchi was fourth and sixth in these rounds. In the third and final round of the day, he was then the best with 128.5 m, Sjoeen came in second.

Good performances of Damjan and Ammann

Also Slovenia's Jernej Damjan, who landed at 126.5 m in his best jump and was eighth, third and fourth had some good jumps today. Veteran Simon Ammann had his longest jump with 125.5 m and was second in the first training round.

Michael Neumayer presented himself in a very good shape as well. The German was third twice and second in one round and went 127.5 m in his best jump. Poland's youngster Jakub Wolny gained some self confidence for tomorrow's competition as fourth in the first round.

Good start for Kasai

The highly anticipated first appearance of Noriaki Kasai this summer also went quite well. The 42-year-old showed the longest jump of the day with 131 m and was fourth and seventh. Kasai then decided to skip the third round.

Because only 48 athletes are competing in Hakuba, no qualification will be necessary. The first competition will take place on Saturday at 11:30 am CET. The second event will then follow Sunday at 3:00 am CET.